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21st November 2016 The Care Quality Commission (CQC) announced today that it has awarded us an overall Outstanding rating. We are the first independent homecare company in London to achieve this rare feat. We were awarded Outstanding for the Caring …

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) announced today that it has awarded us an overall Outstanding rating. We are the first independent homecare company in London to achieve this rare feat.

We were awarded Outstanding for the Caring and Well-led categories; Good for the Safe, Responsive and Effective categories; and our overall rating was Outstanding.

Less than 1% of homecare agencies achieve the overall Outstanding rating, which is the highest award available in the CQC’s inspection programme.

The CQC described us as being exceptionally caring and well led, with strong person-centred values. They found that our care workers regularly went the extra mile to make clients feel valued. Our clients and their families said that they were treated with dignity, felt safe, and had control of their care.

We were also praised for providing excellent training and for making care workers feel valued and supported.

Clare Drewell, our Owner and Director, said:

“We are standing tall following our Outstanding rating. This is an accurate reflection of the way we have consistently worked for 23 years.

“We are pleased that the CQC’s system was reformed in 2013 to rate performance on a scale. We have always provided excellent care and passed CQC inspections, but having our performance rated in this way provides additional reassurance for clients and recognition for our dedicated care workers on the front line.

“The advantage of being an independent company is that we are able to uphold our values and we never compromise on the level of care that we provide. Our clients are supported to live their lives exactly how they prefer to, as individuals with dignity. Clients can contact us around the clock, and their voices are heard and responded to without fail.

“Our key strength is how we train and support our care workers. There is always someone at the end of the phone for them. We choose our staff carefully, and they are proud to work for us, which results in better care for our clients.”

This is a fantastic achievement for all of our staff and we are very proud of the service we provide to our clients.

Our Registered Manager, Catherine Gunnewicht, has featured in a film about The Social Care Commitment for Skills for Care. The Social Care Commitment is a voluntary agreement between employers and employees to improve the quality of care and support services …

The Social Care Commitment is a voluntary agreement between employers and employees to improve the quality of care and support services and public confidence in these services.

The Commitment encourages companies and their staff to think about their values and reflect on their work. In the video below, Catherine talks about how we have implemented The Social Care Commitment at Care Concern Homecare.

As our staff have signed up, they have realised that the values they carry with them throughout their work are directly linked to the ethos of The Social Care Commitment.

The final film in the Dignity in Care series focuses on Social Inclusion. Our clip beings at 5 minutes and 33 seconds. As we get older, we can be at risk of becoming isolated. This can be for a number …

The final film in the Dignity in Care series focuses on Social Inclusion. Our clip beings at 5 minutes and 33 seconds.

As we get older, we can be at risk of becoming isolated. This can be for a number of reasons including mobility issues, health or circumstances. At Care Concern Homecare we recognise how important it is for our clients to continue their existing contact with the outside world and we do all we can to maintain and strengthen this.

As Catherine explains, “From the very first visit that we do, when we do the assessment, we try to find out if there is somewhere they go regularly. So we make sure then that the carers’ visits don’t clash with that. We realise how important it is for people to get out.”

Emma describes in the video how best to maintain and enhance social inclusion, “Get to know the person, get to know things they like, just have a little chat when you’re going down the road or to the post office. Just to see people, it’s nice. Thinking outside the box of what would include them, what they like, maybe activities, hobbies, just things to get them out the house. Even if it is just for half an hour or an hour.”

The impact of social inclusion on someone’s wellbeing should not be underestimated. We actively seek ways to support our clients in staying in touch with the outside world.

We are incredibly excited and very proud to have been short-listed as a finalist for the Skills for Care Accolades 2014/2015 in the ‘Best Employer of under 250 staff’ category! The Skills for Care Accolades recognise organisations and employers who …

We are incredibly excited and very proud to have been short-listed as a finalist for the Skills for Care Accolades 2014/2015 in the ‘Best Employer of under 250 staff’ category!

The Skills for Care Accolades recognise organisations and employers who are committed to delivering high quality care and developing their workforce. We were informed in October that a Skills for Care Area Officer would be visiting us in November to verify that the content of our application form was true and correct. Following this visit, it was confirmed that we have been shortlisted with two other entries. The final judging panels will be sitting in February and the winner will be announced on the 12th of March.

To be short-listed is a wonderful achievement that we feel recognises our endeavours. We work incredibly hard to have a well-trained and highly skilled workforce that are capable, competent and confident in their roles. Over 81% of our workforce have a QCF diploma and we are continuously sourcing additional training courses to further enhance the knowledge of our staff.

Registered Manager, Catherine Gunnewicht said, “To be short-listed as a finalist is very exciting. I’m very proud of our standards and the commitment our carers have to their work and their continued professional development.”

Most recently, 23 of our staff attended a Parkinson’s workshop led by someone living with Parkinson’s. It was a most insightful session and those who attended found it fascinating. This is just one example of how we prioritise the development of our staff in an incredibly challenging and ever-changing industry.

We will be sure to share the results when they are announced in March!

Here is the second film in the Dignity in Care series focusing on privacy. Our clip starts at … This film discusses what should be private: our personal information, our rooms, using the bathroom, our post, our phone calls, our …

Here is the second film in the Dignity in Care series focusing on privacy. Our clip starts at …

This film discusses what should be private: our personal information, our rooms, using the bathroom, our post, our phone calls, our relationships. The film describes how privacy is a fundamental aspect of maintaining dignity.

It is the small things that contribute greatly to someone maintaining their dignity whilst receiving care. Catherine explains how “if it’s safe to do so, I always think it’s nice to let people be in the bathroom for a little while on their own. If you’re a little bit worried you could maybe stand on the other side of the door but I think letting people be alone in the bathroom for a little while is nice.”

Our desire for privacy in our lives doesn’t diminish as we get older and it is the actions shown in this film that allow our clients to maintain dignity and have independence within the constraints of the care that they require.

Here is the second film in the Dignity in Care series focusing on communication. Our clip starts at 4 minutes and 7 seconds. This film looks at the importance of communication through a variety of methods with clients, care workers …

Here is the second film in the Dignity in Care series focusing on communication. Our clip starts at 4 minutes and 7 seconds.

This film looks at the importance of communication through a variety of methods with clients, care workers and families. Good communication ensures our clients get to make choices about how they live, even if it is as simple as the jumper they prefer to wear on a particular day.

Catherine describes how to avoid overwhelming people, “A lot of our people have got dementia…. so sometimes what’s quite nice is to bring two or three things out and show it… and they will be able to point to what they like.”

People respond in different ways. As our care workers get to know their clients, they discover the best ways to communicate.

When someone is not cooperating, Catherine explains how “they sometimes respond to mirroring… you could actually start doing the movement [brushing their teeth] and they could pick up on that movement and start doing that themselves. There is no right or wrong way. It is about getting to know that person and what they respond to.”

We work closely with our care workers and keep in regular contact with the families of our service users. John explains, “From time to time you get new situations and you have really quite important judgement calls. Particularly when to call in other people’s help. But there is a lot of support and… if in doubt, pass the decision up [to care managers].”

Jean mentions visit record sheets in the film which our care workers use to write notes in about their visits. This allows us to keep track of the well-being of our clients and allows their families to stay up to date.

Good communication is key to providing the best care possible to our clients.

In February of this year, we were approached by Media 19 working on behalf of the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) to feature in four films about Dignity in Care. After months of keeping it a secret, the films …

Catherine worked very hard to coordinate our care workers and service users to feature in the films. It was no mean feat!

We’re going to do a blog series over the next four weeks focusing on each of the films individually. The first one is about Choice and Control:

When someone is receiving care, it is important to understand their capabilities and limitations. What are they able to do on their own? What do they need support with? Finding this balance allows the service user to make independent choices and feel in control of their lives.

As Emma says in the video, “You need to get to know the person quite well to understand their needs. Listen to what they want and their needs. Follow their lead.”

Gaenor describes how she retains choice and control, “One can still decide what you want to do such as when you want new clothes or new shoes. It just ensures that you don’t lose all control of your life.”

Catherine explains how we “enable them [our service users] to do things for themselves.”

What do Choice and Control mean to you? How do you ensure that people you care for have choice and control in their lives?

This weekend, I will be running the Ealing Half Marathon to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society. It is my first half marathon and although I’m feeling rather anxious, I am excited to get to the start line after months …

This weekend, I will be running the Ealing Half Marathon to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society. It is my first half marathon and although I’m feeling rather anxious, I am excited to get to the start line after months of training.

I always like to push and challenge myself and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to raise money for a cause that I am passionate about. I work with a lot of dementia sufferers and the Alzheimer’s Society do so much to help and support people living with dementia as well as their families.

It’s been challenging to find time to train at the end of a busy day at work. Often, as soon as I leave the house for a run, I get a work phone call! However, it’s been a great journey and I’ve really enjoyed the support of the Ealing Community especially via Twitter and the #ealinghour and lots of encouragement from the Alzheimer’s Society.

I’ve been told by a lot of people that it is quite a hilly course and although I’ve been training for a while now, I think that’s an area of training that I have neglected a bit. However, my speed has increased in recent weeks so I’m hoping I won’t lose too much time on the hills!

Registered Manager Catherine Gunnewicht signed up to the Social Care Commitment in September 2013 and is due to renew her commitment next month. Led by the Department of Health, the Social Care Commitment is a voluntary agreement about workforce quality. …

Registered Manager Catherine Gunnewicht signed up to the Social Care Commitment in September 2013 and is due to renew her commitment next month.

Led by the Department of Health, the Social Care Commitment is a voluntary agreement about workforce quality. The primary purpose is to give the public confidence that service users will be treated with dignity and respect and supported by skilled care workers.

Employers promise to give their workers the development they need and staff promise to put social care values into practice in their daily work.

There are seven commitments:

1 – Working Responsibly

2 – Upholding Dignity

3 – Working Co-operatively

4 – Communicating Effectively

5 – Protecting Privacy

6 – Continuing to Learn

7 – Treating People Fairly

By signing up, employers and employees are pledging to continually deliver high quality care and commit to best practice regarding their workforce. The Social Care Commitment gives existing and prospective clients confidence in the service they receive.

Q&A with Catherine Gunnewicht about the Social Care Commitment

How did you sign up?

I took a series of pledges and had a certain timescale within which to deliver them. As each employee and manager has to sign up individually, we have organized for a Skills for Care representative to run an information session for all of our staff in October to encourage more of our employees to sign up to the scheme.

It is straightforward?

It does require some time and dedication. However, throughout the process you are able to reflect on your own practice, which is always good.

What are your thoughts about it?

It is a very good scheme as it will get more people in the care industry examining their own practice against these seven commitments and they will be able to see what they are doing well and where they can improve. The fact that the commitment has to be refreshed annually means that it remains relevant and encourages reflective practice more frequently. The more people who sign up the better.

Would you recommend it and why?

Yes. It is good for our service users to know that our staff adhere to these principles and it is good for the industry that there are providers who are committed to achieving excellence.

We loved being part of the fantastic Super Saturday of Sport on Turnham Green last weekend. There were over 40 sports for kids and adults of all ages to try out. Chiswick Buzz put together a great video of the …

Testimonials

Recent news coverage of the quality of care offered by home carers confirms again how fortunate we were to have the service of Care Concern’s superb carers.

C.P

01/10/2013

Care Concern Homecare

Recent news coverage of the quality of care offered by home carers confirms again how fortunate we were to have the service of Care Concern’s superb carers.

C.P

01/10/2013

Care Concern Homecare

The carers were kind, totally professional and most important, totally reliable. I think one of the advantages of the Care Concern service is the stability of the staffing.

J.P

02/10/2013

Care Concern Homecare

Please pass on my thanks to 'M' and 'S' who seem to have developed an extremely good rapport with my mother already.

S.W

01/09/2013

Care Concern Homecare

I’d just like to say how good 'Z' was with 'R' – very calm, very competent, full of care and encouragement (perhaps I should say care and concern!). Like having a good friend who also happened to know what to do. I am so glad that we have you and your excellent staff looking after our mother.

M.T

02/08/2013

Care Concern Homecare

Once again thank you for the excellent service you provided during 'I'’s last illness. We were very fortunate to have you and your team taking care of 'I', and I know she appreciated having such good people looking after her.

H.S

03/09/2013

Care Concern Homecare

I would like to congratulate you on the professionalism of your team – I am really impressed and so reassured about 'E'’s welfare!

C.R

05/06/2013

Care Concern Homecare

Thank you so much for organising... the rota at short notice, the night cover, and the fracture clinic appointment. As I have said before, I don’t know where I would be without you all.

A.C

10/05/2013

Care Concern Homecare

Just a little accolade for your company from the Nurse on the Observation Ward, 'H'. She commented that your team is the only one she would leave her relatives in the care of! 'J' and I are very heartened for a fellow professional to have this to say about the company we have chosen to care for our precious parents!

S.W

13/06/2013

Care Concern Homecare

We are very happy with the care package. The carers are excellent and your administration/attention to details/responsiveness are all excellent.

E.B

01/10/2012

Care Concern Homecare

Thank you for your help in caring for 'G'. If it had not been for you we would not have had the hospital bed and also the District Nurses involved either so I do owe you a tremendous amount.

M.J

10/04/2012

Care Concern Homecare

Thank you for everything you have done so far, and for everything you will be doing in the coming weeks that makes us feel so safe when we will be away. You have such a ‘can do’ attitude that overwhelms all the negative vibes I got from the other providers.

N.B

02/04/2012

Care Concern Homecare

Thanks so much for coming in this morning to go over our mother’s needs – as always we are so grateful to you and for being so responsive.

J.P

13/01/2012

Care Concern Homecare

I must confess that on the first day... I was extremely apprehensive – but I soon realised that he [Dad] was in excellent hands and could relax.

P.M

20/10/2011

Care Concern Homecare

Thank you most sincerely for all the care and consideration your whole team has shown. You could not have been more efficient or kind.

P.P

24/05/2011

Care Concern Homecare

We have all been absolutely delighted with all the carers Dad has had for the five months he has been in London – they couldn’t have been nicer people or more caring. I would certainly recommend Care Concern.

P.M

27/03/2011

Care Concern Homecare

I would like to extend my gratitude to you all and your wonderful staff for all the help and care and kind consideration towards my Dad.

S.I

02/12/2010

Care Concern Homecare

You have made it possible for him [Dad] to continue living in his own home, which is so important to us all.

H.B

20/12/2014

Care Concern Homecare

We are all so grateful for what you are doing for 'R' and are very happy with our dealings with Catherine and such a great rota with 'J' doing so many shifts.

S.B

30/05/2014

Care Concern Homecare

I would like to thank everyone for making my Dad's last few years as easy as possible. His last weeks and days were particularly well managed even though the circumstances were tricky. Really, well done everyone.

H.C

23/07/2014

Care Concern Homecare

You run an amazing service that I could not recommend highly enough.

B.H

22/08/2014

Care Concern Homecare

You have certainly been a life-saver for me. 'N' had been stumbling from crisis to crisis prior to your services being put in place.

L.M

11/09/2014

Care Concern Homecare

How brilliant and caring your staff are. Their kindness, consideration and attention to detail is fantastic.

C.B

09/10/2014

Care Concern Homecare

Thank you for the wonderful, personal and highly professional care that has enabled Dad to be at home for just over two years.

S.B

13/11/2014

Care Concern Homecare

I'm very impressed on professionalism, warmth and kindness of your carers. I've also understood they're [the carers] well looked after by Care Concern.

K.M

12/12/2014

Care Concern Homecare

Dad is really enjoying his outings with 'J' who seems able to get him to walk further and take more interest in things. Mum is enjoying the respite time too.

R.M

13/02/2015

Care Concern Homecare

You run a very efficient and reliable service with some very good staff, and if we had any other choice we would have liked to keep him at home.

M.M

17/03/2015

Care Concern Homecare

Thank you for the care and support, particularly for the speedy way you were able to implement the care plan when Mum came out of hospital.

G.B

01/04/2015

Care Concern Homecare

Your help is invaluable and my husband is always left feeling comfortable.